Cast/Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt

There was only one rapture on Saturday night, says Katja Driver

THE Crypt is packed. There is no room to move at all. Those lucky enough to be at the front have been hogging their positions for the whole night and are not letting anyone take their spot without a fight. There is anticipation and the atmosphere is almost thick enough to touch.

Liverpool’s prodigal sons, Cast, are playing in their home town as part of their reunion tour - 15 years after their debut album All Change.

For what we are about to receive…

John Power looks like a naughty schoolboy when he takes the mic and inspects the vast crowd in front of him. The band actually appear surprised that so many came. Maybe nobody has told them how much they are loved here.

Cast kick off the festivities with Finetime and propel their audience back nine years. It doesn’t seem they have really changed at all. And the undeniable chemistry between them hasn’t altered either. They seem to be having such a good time back together that it’s almost impossible to imagine they did something else for almost a decade.

The band actually appear surprised that so many came. Maybe nobody has told them how much they are loved here

It’s not just about reminiscing though. Cast, appearing as part of Liverpool Sound City, treat their audience to a taster from their new album, which is, according to Power, almost finished. They have teamed up with PledgeMusic to offer an album that is made outside of the major label system and should make any die-hard fan grin with happiness.

Things get a little crazy in the audience when Cast play a song from their new album. Timebomb is as infectious as it is explosive, the crowd singing along the catchy chorus even though they’ve never heard the words before.

“It’s always scary playing new songs that people don’t really know yet.” Peter Wilkinson told us after the gig. “But they seemed to go down well. There wasn’t much booing, was there?”

No, there certainly wasn’t. “There’s only one John Power!” chant the fans, and one screams above the noise: “I f***ing love you!” It is pretty obvious the new material is going to be loved by all.

Someone nearby remarks: “It’s like being 15 again!” but some of the audience probably weren’t more than a twinkle in their parents' eyes when Cast were first performing in the 1990s. It is good to see the outfit who rose from the La’s and who were described by Noel Gallagher as a ‘religious experience’ have been passed on to the next generation.

New and old fans alike, they all jump and chant “Power!” between every song, and the band continue to seem bemused.

“It’s always a pleasure performing at Liverpool,” Wilkinson later reflects with a happy smile. “The audience is amazing and we couldn’t ask for any more.”

And we’re more than happy to have them back.

8/10

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